VAL-D’OR, Quebec (Interstat) — In a tightly contested Quebec Major Junior Hockey League matchup defined by special teams and stout goaltending, the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies edged the Val-d’Or Foreurs 2-1 on Friday night at Centre Agnico Eagle.

The Huskies (23-17-0-0) capitalized on an early two-man advantage to seize a lead they would not relinquish, avenging an overtime loss to their regional rivals just one week prior. The Foreurs (19-22-0-0), despite a strong push and a 32-28 advantage in shots, could not solve Rouyn-Noranda goaltender Alexandre Raymond sufficiently to overturn the deficit.

The game’s trajectory was set in a frantic opening period. Val-d’Or’s Josh Demers and Xavier Daigle took penalties 30 seconds apart, giving the Huskies a lengthy 5-on-3 power play. The visitors needed only 22 seconds of the two-man advantage to convert, as Samuel Beauchemin buried his 11th goal of the season at the 2:41 mark, assisted by Thomas Verdon.

The Foreurs responded at even strength later in the period. Philippe Veilleux, the team’s leading scorer, netted his 31st of the campaign at 10:04, finishing a setup from Nathan Brisson to knot the score at 1-1.

Rouyn-Noranda restored its lead early in the second period. Just 1:15 into the frame, Vladislav Murzov scored his third goal of the season, with Axel Dufresne earning the assist, to make it 2-1. That goal proved to be the game-winner as the contest evolved into a defensive struggle punctuated by penalties.

The third period was a tense affair, with the Foreurs pressing for the equalizer. They outshot the Huskies 12-8 in the final 20 minutes but were repeatedly stymied by Raymond. Val-d’Or’s efforts were hampered by two more penalties, including a second infraction by Demers for boarding at 6:39, which disrupted their offensive flow.

Special teams were decisive. Rouyn-Noranda went 1 for 6 on the power play, while Val-d’Or failed to score on its three opportunities. The Huskies’ penalty kill, which had to navigate two first-period minors of its own, was perfect when it mattered most.

Raymond, a 6-foot-4 netminder from Sherbrooke, was the backbone of the victory, turning aside 31 of 32 shots for the Huskies. At the other end, Vincent Moreau made 26 saves for the Foreurs in a losing effort.

Key performers for Rouyn-Noranda included Beauchemin, who led the team with five shots to go with his power-play goal, and Lars Steiner, who registered a team-high six shots, an assist, and delivered three hits. For Val-d’Or, Veilleux was the most dangerous forward, pacing all players with six shots on goal alongside his tally.

The game was a departure from recent high-scoring affairs between the two clubs. In their previous meeting on Jan. 9, Val-d’Or prevailed 6-5 in overtime. Friday’s result also defied the pre-game projection from Interstat’s game simulator, which had forecast a 3-2 victory for the Foreurs, though their ELO rating gave the Huskies a 55.2% probability to win.

The announced attendance was 2,384.

With the win, Rouyn-Noranda continues its push in the QMJHL standings, while Val-d’Or remains below the .500 mark. The Huskies travel to face Sudbury on Sunday, Jan. 18. The Foreurs are next in action on Friday, Jan. 23, with a road game in Chicoutimi.